On Saturday night, Conor McGregor will step into the Octagon for the first time in five years — but for many UK viewers, the biggest challenge will be staying awake until 2am. The Irish superstar faces Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329, a rematch 13 years in the making, and the card offers a crash course in how a modern UFC fight night works.
The UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship, is the world's largest mixed martial arts promotion. Events typically feature a stacked lineup of fights split into three segments: early prelims, regular prelims, and the main card. For UFC 329 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the early prelims begin at 10pm BST on Saturday 11 July, followed by the regular prelims at 12am BST, and the main card at 2am BST on Sunday. The entire card is broadcast live, with the main event — McGregor vs Holloway at welterweight (170lb) — expected to start around 4am UK time.
“An explainer on how UFC events work, using the McGregor vs Holloway fight as an example.”
Both fighters successfully made weight at Friday's weigh-in: McGregor tipped the scales at 170.5lb and Holloway at exactly 170lb. Weigh-ins are a key ritual in combat sports, ensuring athletes are within their agreed weight class. The welterweight bout is a step up for Holloway, a former featherweight champion, while McGregor has fought at 170lb before. Their first meeting in 2013 was at featherweight, with McGregor winning by unanimous decision despite tearing his ACL in the second round. Since then, McGregor won the featherweight and lightweight titles, while Holloway claimed featherweight gold and the ceremonial BMF belt.
For UK viewers, UFC 329 is available on TNT Sports pay-per-view at a cost of £19.99. It can also be accessed via HBO Max, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports. The late-night start time is typical for US-based UFC events, meaning British fans often schedule their Saturday night around the broadcast. The card features 12 fights, including a notable co-main event between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis at lightweight (156lb), which has generated extra interest among UK and Irish fans.
Q: What time does UFC 329 start in the UK? The early prelims begin at 10pm BST on Saturday 11 July, the regular prelims at 12am BST, and the main card at 2am BST on Sunday. The main event is expected around 4am.
Q: How much does UFC pay-per-view cost in the UK? UFC 329 costs £19.99 on TNT Sports pay-per-view, and is also available through other platforms such as HBO Max, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports.
Q: What weight class are McGregor and Holloway fighting at? They are fighting at welterweight (170lb), heavier than their previous bout at featherweight (145lb) in 2013. Both men successfully made weight at Friday's weigh-in.
What happens next is the fight itself, scheduled for Saturday 11 July in Las Vegas. McGregor enters after a five-year layoff and a recent civil court case in which a jury found him liable for rape — he continues to deny the allegations and his appeal failed. Holloway, meanwhile, is coming off a loss to Ilia Topuria but remains one of the most respected fighters in the sport. The outcome will shape both men's futures, but for now, all eyes are on the Octagon.